Marilyn Louise Hertogs was born August 4, 1931, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Theodore and Pauline (Allen) Conant. She was raised in Des Moines and in 11th grade moved with her family to Minneapolis. She graduated from Washburn High School in 1949, and attended the University of Minnesota. Marilyn married John Hertogs on June 6, 1953, at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. In 1962, John’s work took them to Toronto, Ontario. Over the years they lived in Toronto, Chicago and Sacramento before returning to Minneapolis in 1983. Shortly after they moved to Northfield.

Marilyn was a member of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church. She was active with the Northfield Hospital Auxiliary, the Northfield Senior Center, the Great Northfield Minnesota Book Raid, and she often volunteered. She enjoyed needle point, knitting, baking Christmas cookies for her grandchildren, and she loved to play Bridge. She was a loyal and committed friend - still enjoying relationships with her high school girlfriends. Spending vacation time and weekends with her family on the cabin cruiser on Georgian Bay was a favorite time. Marilyn was kind, constant, and committed and devoted to her husband and family.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, John; 3 children: Barbara and husband Ted Gray of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Nancy and husband Jim Furlong of Springfield, Virginia, Steven and wife Sonia of Naperville, Illinois; 5 grandchildren: Sarah Gray, Kelly and Kevin Furlong, Sydney and Sean Hertogs; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gus.

Marilyn passed away with her husband and family by her side on Friday morning, December 18, 2009, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield, at the age of 78.

Visitation will be 2-6PM on Monday, December 21, 2009, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. Private interment will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, with Rev. Kenneth Kotzer officiating.

Memorials are preferred to the Three Links Care Center.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.